Thanks for weighing in with SRM's opinion on Congressman Rahall's proposed legislation--HR 1018.  However well intentioned, the legislation has taken the course of ignoring the potential drastic effects it could have on the ecology of western rangelands so well stated in your letter.  Instead, the Restoring Our American Mustangs Act falls in line with the strategy of horse advocacy groups that are demanding the expansion of wild horse ranges and increases in population levels.  This approach is contrary to the appropriate management levels (AML's) and herd management areas (HMA's) already established by BLM under the 1971 WH&B Act and all but negates the purpose of the Act which is "...to restore a thriving natural ecological balance to the range, and protect the range from the deterioration associated with overpopulation." Furthermore, it ignores BLM's major dilemma on what to do with it's current inventory of 30,000 animals in holding facilities and virtually eliminates the agency's ability to properly keep the horse population in check.

Hopefully your letter will have the intended effect of helping to derail the unfavorable legislation when it comes before the full House for a vote.  As a matter of interest, the Public Lands Foundation (PLF) has also voiced it's objection to HR 1018 in letters to Congressman Rahall, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.  The PLF also fully supports SRM's position on the legislation, which closely parallels our own. I would suggest that SRM offer to testify before the Congress should this bill come up for another vote.

As you probably know, PLF is a non-profit organization whose members are primarily retired BLMers.  We advocate and work for the retention of Public Lands in Public Hands, professionally and sustainably managed for the responsible common use and enjoyment of the American people.

On a personal note, I have been an SRM member now for more than 50 years and I am happy to see SRM speak up on important public land resource issues.  SRM should be more visible.  SRM’s professional views matters.

George Lea, President PLF